Proof load test gauge for swag bearing

ABSTRACT

An improved device for proof load testing of bearings. More specifically, it comprises of a cylinder body ( 8 ) having formed therein a cylinder cavity ( 9 ). The cylinder cavity has a cylinder protrusion ( 5 ) at its center forming an “O” type cylinder cavity. A piston ( 3 ) having a piston cavity ( 11 ) formed in its body creating an “O” type piston wall is slidably mounted and inserted into the cylinder cavity forming a chamber. A threaded cap ( 2 ) is placed over the piston and tightened onto the threaded exterior wall of the cylinder body. The chamber formed by the “O” type piston within the “O” type cylinder contains hydraulic fluid. An axial bore hole ( 10 ) extends through the center of the piston and cylinder. The cylinder wall and piston wall have “O” rings ( 4 ) ( 7 ) which prevent the leakage of hydraulic fluid from the chamber. A threaded enlongated bolt ( 1 ) or member is extended through the axial bore hole and through a bearing assembly on one end, and into a threaded base plate on the opposite side of the bearing assembly. The base plate has a recessed area around the bearing which permits the bearing to move as the bolt is tightened on one end into the base plate on the opposite end, squeezing the device against the bearing assembly and the forcing the bearing toward the recessed area of the base plate. The pressure created by tightening the bolt is measured by a gauge attached to the cylinder body. The base plate has a movement detector and scale attached which detects and measures any movement in the bearing when a predetermined amount of pressure is applied by the device. When the predetermined pressure is reached on the gauge, the movement detector is examined to verify or prove the bearing has withstood the load within manufacturer&#39;s specified tolerances.

BACKGROUND

[0001] 1. Field of Invention

[0002] This patent relates to a previously filed Disclosure Documentfiled with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Disclosure DocumentNumber 494,284 on May 25, 2001. In that document the inventors discloseda device for proof load testing of a swaged lip bearing, such as used inthe airline industry. The bearing is placed into its position within itshousing and permanently installed by the rolling or “swaging” of its liparound the hole into which it is installed. After the swaging, thebearing must not move when placed under a predetermined load. It isrequired to be tested for movement under such load. The device is usedto apply a predetermined load factor on a swaged bearing and detect andmeasure any movement on the bearing. This device is novel in that itreplaces more complex “H” frame type hydraulic presses or a hand pumphydraulic unit. These complex testing units utilize hydraulic pressesused for other applications. This use can create the potential for errorin that the conversion of the PSI from one application to anotherapplication may not directly correlate. Mathematical computations mustbe double-checked by a competent engineer to verify the conversion ofthe PSI of the hydraulic press to the tested bearing. The methods notonly have potential for error but are cumbersome in that the parthousing the bearing must be removed for testing in the “H” frame andreinstalled. The portable hand held hydraulic pumps used for fieldtesting bearings require that the press be leveraged between the bearingand a separate support or brace. This may not be possible given thedifficulty of the bearing location and the lack of a suitable supportingbrace for leverage.

[0003] Specifically, this device is unique because it is small, easy tooperate, fully calibrated for the PSI required for the bearing test, maybe used in the aircraft without removal of the part being tested, andcreates its own pressure without requiring leverage from another objector support brace. The leverage is created by tightening a bolt whichpasses through the device on one side of the bearing and has a threadedbase plate on the other side which acts as a nut which grips the boltand creates pressure against the bearing as the bolt is tightened. Thebolt passes through the center of the device and squeezes the device asit is tightened. The device is filled with hydraulic fluid. A gauge isattached to the device which measures the pressure of the hydraulicfluid in the correct PSI for the test. The bolt is tightened until thepredetermined PSI is applied to the bearing. A measuring device attachedto the base plate opposite the device detects and measures any movementin the bearing.

[0004] 2Discussion of Prior Art

[0005] Prior art which creates pressure utilizing hydraulics for thisapplication is unknown. The inventors have not found any inventionswhich are specifically designed to test bearings. Most tests are done byusing a number of preexisting hydraulic presses which have otherapplications.

[0006] Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the invention areto provide a means field testing bearings without removing them fromtheir location in the aircraft and to do its easily, quickly, accuratelyand reliably. This device accomplishes these objects and can reduce thetime, expense, and potential for error caused by using other methods ordevices.

DRAWING FIGURES

[0007]FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the component parts of theinvention.

[0008]FIG. 2 shows an assembled view of the cylinder and cylinder insert.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

[0009]1 bolt

[0010]2 threaded cap

[0011]3 piston

[0012]4 “O” ring

[0013]5 cylinder protrusion

[0014]7 “O” ring

[0015]8 cylinder body

[0016]9 cylinder cavity

[0017]10 axial bore hole

[0018]11 Piston Cavity

SUMMARY

[0019] In accordance with the present invention a proof load test gaugefor is used for the purpose of testing for movement in a bearing withina housing when the bearing is subjected to a predetermined load factor.The device has a cylinder body having a round interior hollow cavitycontaining a axial centered cylindrical solid protrusion which definesan “O” shaped cylinder space cavity. A piston is slidably mounted withinthe cylinder body and has an axially centered cylindrical hollow cavitycreating an “O” shaped piston which fits into the “O” shaped cylinderbody. The piston and cylinder body have an axially extended bore holewhich passes through them. The walls of the cylinder and the cylinderprotrusion have “O” rings which prevent hydraulic fluid contained withinthe cylinder from leakage. A bolt is placed through the axial bore holeand through the bearing being tested, positioning the device on one sideof the bearing. A base plate having a threaded hole is placed on theother side of the bearing and rests against the bearing assembly. Thebase plate has a recessed surface area around the bearing permitting thebearing the be forced into this area to detect movement. A gauge isaffixed to the cylinder body which measure the amount of pressure beingcreated against the bearing as the bolt is tightened into the baseplate. A gauge is attached to the base plate which detects and measuresmovement in the bearing when the bearing is subjected to a predeterminedamount of pressure as the bolt is tightened.

DESCRIPTION

[0020] The typical embodiment of the proof load test gauge of thepresent invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 2.

[0021]FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the device. The device comprisesof a cylinder body 8, having a round cylinder protrusion 5 which createsan “O” shaped cylinder cavity. The piston 3 has a hollow center creatingan “O” shaped piston which is slidably mounted in the “O” shapedcylinder. A threaded cap 2 is placed over the piston and tightened ontothe threaded exterior wall of the cylinder body. All of the describedparts have an axial bore hole 10 extending through their center. Athreaded bolt 1 passes through the parts and is placed through thebearing with the cylinder body resting against the bearing. The bolt istightened into a threaded base plate (not shown) on the other side ofthe bearing.

[0022]FIG. 2 shows and assembled view of the device. It shows the axialbore hole 9 which extends through the parts. It also shows the pressuregauge 10 attached to the cylinder body which measures the pressure ofthe hydraulic fluid created when the bolt is tightened into the baseplate (not shown).

What is claimed is:
 1. A proof load test device various bearingscomprising of: (a) a cylinder body having a longitudinal axis havingopposite first and second ends, one of said ends being open to a hollowround cylinder formed within the wall of the cylinder body, the otherend being solid, and further having an axial extending solid cylinderprotrusion extending at the center of the cylinder end through thecylinder, creating an “O” form cylinder cavity (b) a piston having a anaxially extending hollow cavity within its body creating a “O” typepiston slidably mounted within the cylinder creating a closed chamber;(c) an axial bore hole extending through the center of said piston andsaid cylinder; (d) fluid within the chamber formed by coupling thepiston and cylinder; (e) a means forcing the piston into the cylinder;(f) a means of preventing the release of fluid from the cylinder and theaxial bore hole as the piston is forced into the cylinder
 2. The deviceas claimed in 1 wherein the means of forcing the piston into thecylinder comprises of an enlongated threaded bolt which extends throughthe axial bore hole on one end, and is tightened into a threaded baseplate on the other end. The plate has a recessed area which permits abearing assemble placed between the device and the base plate to move asa swaged bearing is being pressure tested by the device;
 3. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the means of preventing release of the fluid fromthe axial bore hole and cylinder comprises of “O” ring washers placed onthe inner walls of the cylinder body and the outer wall of the cylinderprotrusion.
 4. The device of claim
 1. further having a pressuremeasuring device attached to the cylinder.